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KA ‘Cashgate’ suspects out on bail

Karonga first grade magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda on Friday granted bail to seven council workers arrested on Wednesday and Thursday for allegedly misusing public works money under the Masaf IV project.

Lawyer for the accused, Christon Ghambi, and Karonga Police spokesperson Enock Livason confirmed the development in an interview.arrest

The seven, and three other suspects who were, as of Friday, yet to be arrested, are accused of misusing K25 714 440 out of K57 901 150 Masaf IV project.

Those granted bail are director of administration James Tembo, Phillimon Maseko (Roads), Aaron Chaponda (Water), David Yafeti (Irrigation), David Gondwe, Symon Ngwira and Gracewell Mbale (Forestry).

The three yet to be arrested are Walusungu Mwafulirwa (Disaster), Anide Mwankangama (Sanitation) and a Mrs Phiri (Agriculture Land Resource).

Ghambi said he argued in court that the arrests were premature and that they were influenced by councillors, and not the law.

“Among the bail conditions are that they must be reporting to police every Friday; should not leave Karonga until the matter is concluded and that they must not go to their offices. They paid a cash bond of K20 000 each and two sureties of K50 000 non-cash bonds.”

The Karonga full council meeting on Wednesday resolved, after a four-hour debate, that the suspects be suspended to pave the way for investigations. It was later agreed that the suspects be arrested after civil society leaders Wavisanga Silungwe and Green Luliro Mwamondwe expressed displeasure with the decision to just suspend them.

The resolution followed a report which the finance committee, led by its former chairperson councillor Bidon Katambika Msiska (now deputy chairperson) presented to the council alleging that the suspects had misused the Masaf IV funds.n

 

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